Taxi Driver Online

Date set for Uber licence decision in Plymouth

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd7nz3ve1d9o

A decision is set to be made on whether Uber and another app-based private hire taxi firm can operate in a Devon city.

Plymouth City Council said its Taxi Licensing Committee would review applications from Uber and Smartzi on 21 November.

Uber has applied for a five-year licence in the city and a fleet of 160 vehicles per year, while Smartzi applied in March for a five-year licence for one vehicle per year.

Councillor Sally Haydon, cabinet member for community safety, said the authority was "acutely aware" a decision to grant a licence to either firm would have consequences for existing trade, but the move could also help clubs, bars and other venues.

Officers from the council have asked the committee whether the directors of Uber and Smartzi are considered fit and proper persons to be granted a Private Hire Vehicle Operator's Licence.

The council said any decision would be made based on its taxi licensing policy and if the applications meet it criteria.

A council report added: "Officers recognise that if this application is granted it will potentially affect other private hire operators in the city – the committee is reminded that this is not a factor to be considered when deciding the application."

'Something has to change'

Ms Haydon said the council was aware people on nights out in the city have struggled to get home in recent years.

"Something has to change if our clubs, bars and venues are to survive in the long term," Ms Haydon said.

"We are also acutely aware that a decision to grant a private hire licence to these companies could have consequences for our existing trade, but the committee has to take a decision based on very clear legal guidelines."

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IDFIMH

The good councillor says 'something has to change' to get people home from the pubs and clubs to ensure their viability.

How would 'something change' with Uber, other than just rearranging the furniture?

Oh, wait - it'll be importing cheap migrant labour badged by the likes of Wolverhampton. Which Wolverhampton itself has now admitted is a threat to safety.

And the good councillor is 'cabinet member for community safety'?

Taxi drivers 'worried' as Uber approved in Plymouth

Plymouth councillors have given two taxi apps their approval to operate in Plymouth, including the huge multinational company Uber. PlymouthLive readers in our comments section largely welcome the arrival of the app-based services, but some aren't sure it's a good move for the city in the long run.

One taxi driver has said they are 'worried' as companies Uber and Smartzi will provide private hire car services in the city. The firms will be issued with licenses to operate for the next five years in the city. Drivers with a private hire driver’s licence and a vehicle licence will be able to work for the operators.

Uber is a huge force in private transport, operating in countries all around the world, and has found success in cities and large towns all across the UK. Drivers have had disputes against Uber in the past and present - this week, drivers marched in Newcastle to rally against issues with pay and transparency.

Robbie Moley Aitken says: "Hopefully I will be wrong about Uber. However, I am worried being a local self employed taxi driver, and I fear that customers and tourists in Plymouth will now start to see another decline in local taxi operators. I urge you all to support local businesses."

Reader Gazzie says: "As an ex-cabbie I really should be mortified by this decision, however knowing first hand how it is in black cabs, now I feel this is the correct way to go.

"Certain black cabs are overcharging, licensing know this and aren't doing much to enforce the law on it. I know some are charging £40 from clubs in town to Saltash, £20+ to Southway or Ernesettle. I can go on and on, but I really hope those who are overcharging get caught."

DieselMech also welcomes the changes: "I think it’s a really good idea. Taxi services in Plymouth are awful. There are not enough. When you phone to book, they often don’t show up.

"In the past we have had to book multiple companies just to get one and then cancelling the others. Arrival of Uber can only be good thing."

Uggieman writes: "Good news. I'm in hospitality. So hopefully bring the prices down to a more affordable level means more folks can go out and be safe. It's been a bit of a cartel up to now." Sloopdog1 agrees: "About time too, Plymouth is starting to move into the 21st century,maybe now we can move around this city without being wet and late all the time and a bonus is I wont have to pay those extortionate black cab fares."

PPPPPPPP doesn't like the idea: "How predictable, I said they would allow it, even though it means our own LOCAL taxis will be out of business."

On our Facebook page, Ben Murphy says: "As much as it's better to support local, Uber across the country works so well and at any time you can get an Uber, you can't in Plymouth especially late at night. So if they're going to end up being more efficient and turn up when you need them, we need to get with the times."

Ross Mackenzie writes: "Maybe clubs/pubs are closing in part because people have been put off going out due to years of problems getting home. Who wants to stand around in the pouring rain for hours waiting for a cab? This may be a much needed boost for the night time economy. There can be no complaints from the city's current taxi operators who haven't met demand for years."

Amy Laverick writes: "A proper taxi is much safer, more convenient and better for the local economy."

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IDFIMH